During the first year that we lived in France, Bill and I volunteered to help with English language conversation classes at our local branch of Les Maisons des Jeunes et de la Culture (MJC). This is a nationwide association that promotes social and cultural development through a wide range of activities and programs for people of all ages. Based on the principles of solidarity, tolerance, and responsibility, the organization works with residents and local communities to create lasting social connections. The building that currently houses our MJC is believed to have been a former convent opened in 1623, and to mark the completion of its total renovation, a thought-provoking bench was installed near the main entrance.

The concept of the bench is to allow area residents a means of sharing their love, humor, and conviviality with others in the neighborhood. Their thoughts can be transcribed directly onto the surface of this street furniture, making each a unique work that can be read by everyone. Artist Kamel Sécraoui from Toulouse, an hour from Carcassonne, wanted to find a way to leave small, supportive messages for his children on their daily walk to school. The name “Naëlou” itself is a blend of his children’s names, Naël and Lou. 

The benches are also a nod to the song “Les amoureux des bancs publics” (The lovers of public benches) by French singer Georges Brassens. It tells the story of couples who find love and express their affection on public benches. The song celebrates the simple nature of young love, found and expressed openly in public spaces, despite societal judgment. It highlights the beauty of these tender moments of a shared life.

When a community decides to install a bench (81 so far, in France), they determine the overall theme that will be covered in the text. The sign in the photo in this paragraph explains that kindness, secularism, and living together provide the parameters and for this particular spot, the emphasis would be on the fight against discrimination, a battle that was funded by our previous local government when the bench was put in place. It continues by listing the first names of the young people who participated and just below is a close up of a few of their thoughts. Some of those include: “The right color is that of the heart; Even if I am different, I am human; All different, all equal, all important; Let’s be proud of our differences; The right for each and every one to be different….”

MJC Carcassonne: https://mjc-carca.org/

Naëlou bench: https://www.naelou.com/